Government net lending/borrowing in Malta

International Monetary Fund · Annual · Importance

IMF forecast (WEO): 2026: -2.9% 2027: -2.7% 2028: -2.6% 2029: -2.6% 2030: -2.6% 2031: -2.6%

-2.6 (2031) ANUAL · % of GDP · Annual · CSV

Period	% of GDP
Jan 2031	-2.6
Jan 2030	-2.6
Jan 2029	-2.6
Jan 2028	-2.6
Jan 2027	-2.7
Jan 2026	-2.9
Jan 2025	-3.1
Jan 2024	-3.5
Jan 2023	-4.4
Jan 2022	-5.3
Jan 2021	-7.0
Jan 2020	-8.7
Jan 2019	0.7
Jan 2018	1.9
Jan 2017	3.4
Jan 2016	1.1
Jan 2015	-0.8
Jan 2014	-1.5
Jan 2013	-2.2
Jan 2012	-3.3
Jan 2011	-3.0
Jan 2010	-2.2
Jan 2009	-3.1
Jan 2008	-4.1
Jan 2007	-2.1
Jan 2006	-2.5
Jan 2005	-2.8
Jan 2004	-4.3
Jan 2003	-9.0
Jan 2002	-5.6
Jan 2001	-6.5
Jan 2000	-5.8

About this indicator

Source

International Monetary Fund

Frequency

Annual

Release

Published annually (with quarterly advance estimates in some economies), subject to revision with the national accounts.

What it is

Measures the balance of Malta's general government accounts: a deficit occurs when spending exceeds revenue, a surplus when the reverse holds. Published by the National Statistics Office (NSO) as a percentage of GDP.

How it's calculated

Calculated as general government net lending or borrowing under ESA 2010, validated by Eurostat, and expressed relative to GDP. It is the reference figure for the Maastricht 3% deficit ceiling.

Market implications

As a small euro-area member, Malta's deficit drives its debt issuance and compliance with EU fiscal rules. A deterioration weighs on risk premia and ratings, though its small size limits the market impact.

Limitations

It is a low-frequency series prone to revision. In a small economy, one-off measures (such as energy subsidies) move the ratio sharply, so the primary and cyclical components are worth isolating.